For the past 16 years, all denominations of the Buddhist religion have experienced an unparalleled growth in the United States of America. From years 1990 through 2001, Buddhism grew to 170% and transformed into the fourth most practiced religion in America. According to Lewis (n.d.), ÃÂÃÂFurthermore, in year 2001 the ARIS (American Religious Identity Survey) found that there were more Buddhists than Unitarian Universalists, Atheists, Hindus, Wiccans, New Agers or Bahais." Please join us in our discussion of the impact and practices established by Buddhism in the United States and highlight any differences in practice from that of Asian countries.

Religious Arena Impact and InfluencesBuddhism made its way to America by 1899, when two Japanese missionaries went to San Francisco to establish the Buddhist Mission of North America. By 1944, Buddhist Churches had reestablished in America. Today, San Francisco remains one of the most stable Buddhist communities in North America today.

Over the years, Buddhism has made several major impacts on the United States. One major impact was the increase of growth in the Asian population. Another impact was the religion's influence. Buddhism had migrated into a section of the world were the most predominate religions teach Christianity. Some people converted to this kind of belief to try understand their religion more. However, the effects of studying Buddhism over any other religion has not been more overwhelming than Christianity has! According to the chart posted below, Christianity continues to be the most taught and chosen religion in the United States.

The same Buddhist teachings used in Asia are the same teachings used and practiced in the United States. New Buddhists believe in compassion for all things that have life and they believe in Karma. They share the belief as noted in the King James Bible (n.d.), ÃÂÃÂDo unto others as...

... religion of the eastern world (Bowker, 56). Today it remains the predominant religion in China, Korea, Japan, and much of Southeast Asia. There is over 0.2%-0.1% billion Buddhism in the world (Bowker, 67). Presently, there are over 300,000 Buddhists in ...

... in Asian culture and religion. In 1891, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott spent several months lecturing throughout Australia on `Theosophy and Buddhism'. Olcott was the co-founder of the Theosophical Society who described himself as a Buddhist, having taken the three refuges and the five precepts in ...

... religion, Buddhisms traditions and cultural heritage are maintained through the constitutional monarchy. The royal family is highly venerated by most of the Thai population, and tradition is reflected in the constitution that all Thai kings must be Buddhist ...